Officials: Less chance of Colorado River water cuts in 2017

Lingering drought and demand from growing cities have lowered water levels on Lake Mead behind Hoover Dam. The U.S. Interior Department could declare a shortage on the Colorado River as early as 2017. (U.S. Geological Survey Photo)

Wet weather in May and June prompted optimistic projections Monday from federal water managers keeping close tabs on the Colorado River water supply for about 40 million residents in seven Southwest U.S. states.

Water agency officials in Arizona, Nevada and California say the Bureau of Reclamation is reporting it expects to make normal water deliveries at least through 2016 ai??i?? with less likelihood of supply cuts in 2017.

The West remains in a historic drought, and Lake Mead right now is just 38 percent full.

But water managers say they’re told there’s less chance the lake will drop in January 2017 to a level triggering an 11.4 percent cut to Arizona, and 4.3 percent reduction to Nevada.